The Atlanta Falcons will transition into the final stage of spring practice, mandatory minicamp, from Tuesday to Wednesday before a month-long break. Unlike OTAs, minicamp requires attendance, and a massive fine ensues if a player has an unexcused absence. Players will be fined $17,462 for skipping Day 1 and $34,925 for Day 2, totaling $52,387 for both days.
All eyes were on whether their $180 million free-agent acquisition would appear.
Atlanta Falcons veteran QB wants out
After losing the starting quarterback job to Michael Penix Jr. later in the year, Kirk Cousins has since wanted out of Atlanta with hopes of starting elsewhere rather than serving as a backup. However, his contract has complicated things, as the Falcons chose not to cut him before his $10 million fully guaranteed roster bonus for the 2026 season was due on March 15. Also, the front office would lose $10 million with a post-June 1st cut and incur $50 million in dead cap in 2025.
The former Pro Bowler attended spring workouts but skipped voluntary OTAs.
Atlanta Falcons’ $180 million backup set to attend mandatory minicamp
According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Falcons expect Kirk Cousins to show up for the start of mandatory minicamp. As Russini points out, he still hopes to be traded to a team that could use a starting quarterback in 2025. Finally, Cousins will avoid $52,387 in fines.
The Falcons expect Kirk Cousins to show up for Atlanta’s mandatory minicamp tomorrow, sources say.
Cousins did not attend the team’s voluntary OTAs in late May, but was present for workouts in April.
His preference is still to be traded to a team where he could start. pic.twitter.com/ehC6TNqMAt
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) June 9, 2025
What now?
The first option for Kirk Cousins is to back up Michael Penix Jr. in 2025 and move on from him next offseason. If the Atlanta Falcons were to release him in 2026, they would free $22.5 million in cap space and incur $35 million in dead cap. That is more reasonable than losing $10 million and incurring $50 million in dead cap by cutting him now.
The second option is for Cousins to get traded anytime between now and the NFL Trade Deadline if a quarterback gets injured. An injured player is his best chance of getting traded either this offseason or during the season. This would allow the front office to free up $27.5 million in cap space and incur $12.5 million in dead cap.
